Senate on track to pass Ukraine aid bill

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is on track to approve sanctions against Russia and aid for Ukraine after Democrats withdrew a provision that was blocking Congress from issuing a sharp response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's military intervention in Crimea.

A Senate vote was set for Thursday. The House Foreign Affairs Committee has approved its version of the measure, but it was unclear whether a final bill could be sent to President Barack Obama before the end of the week.

Senate Democrats backed down Tuesday and stripped the bill's International Monetary Fund reform language, which Republicans had opposed.

The Democrats decided it was more important to denounce Russia, codify sanctions against Putin's inner circle and support Ukraine rather than push right now for the IMF changes.